RCMP authorities have pressed charges against a 52-year-old individual following an inquiry into allegations concerning the fraudulent branding of cattle. The practice of branding is commonly utilized to establish ownership of livestock.
Livestock Services of Saskatchewan was alerted on July 6 regarding potential tampering with cattle brands on a farm located in the rural municipality of Martin, approximately 225 kilometers east of Regina, as stated in a news release by the RCMP on Wednesday. Owen Third, the livestock investigator for Saskatchewan RCMP, collaborated with Moosomin RCMP officers and Livestock Services of Saskatchewan to examine 197 cattle at the farm.
During the inspection, it was found that 99 of the cattle had altered brands placed over the original ones, while the rest had been fraudulently branded with a new mark. The accused individual faces charges including altering a brand on cattle and committing fraud over $5,000. The suspect is set to appear in court for the first time next month.